Police say Apostle John Henry Bowser was beat to death with a hammer Tuesday morning. Officials arrested Terrence Wright, 24, of Atlantic Beach, Fla., after he drove the victim's car to a police station and confessed to the crime.

Police found the 76-year-old victim dead in the kitchen of his home, which is right next to the church. Wright told police he killed Bowser for money to buy crack cocaine.

Bowser founded a church in Jacksonville, along with many others across the country. His home church was The Glorious Church of The Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in Newport News, which he founded in 1959.

"When I got the call, it just took me," said Melisa Bowser, the pastor's daughter, who works as a secretary at the Newport News church. She had been trying to reach him by phone Tuesday, but he had not answered.

Associate Pastor Bishop R.W. Hill says he was in the middle of prayer when he heard Melisa scream.

"I was on my knees praying, and I hear the secretary – his daughter – yell out, 'What? My daddy has been killed,'" said Hill.

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